sustainable style foundation*

Thursday December 10, 2009 from 5pm-9pm 241 Yale Ave N, Seattle, WA

The Shops at South Lake Union's Alley 24 in partnership with Sustainable Style Foundation bring you Cocktails for a Cause ~ A unique shopping experience that supports both local charities and highlights sustainable lifestyle choices.

For more info visit SSF on Facebook: http://bit.ly/5aN6fX

Kickoff the season in style while enjoying signature cocktails from regional micro distilleries with festive bites from local kitchens.

Holiday shopping includes:
Snowboard Connection- a full service snowboard, skateboard, and surf shop
Tottini- A modern children's furnishing store
GolfTEC- delivers real, significant improvement in tee-to-green skills
Velocity Art and Design- Home furnishings and artwork embody standards of innovation, accessibility, humor, responsibility, and visual joy.

Sip hip cocktails from three Washington State Micro Distilleries:
The Ellensburg Distillery El Chalán pisco-style brandy,
Dry Fly Distillery award winning Vodka and
Soft Tail Spirits LLC small batch craft Grappa.

Enjoy upbeat sounds of DJs Pnapper, Marcell Marias, and Leif- three DJ's to set your holiday shopping mood.

Join us in celebrating the joy of giving back. Cocktails and bites provide. Donations strongly encouraged.

Here are 5 reasons to get excited about Wheatware guitar picks and drumsticks:
• They reduce our reliance on foreign oil.
• They’re renewable. We have an abundant surplus of American wheat every year.
• They reduce our need for wood and trees, saving our forests, which help to cool the planet.
• They’re completely natural and non-allergenic.
• They’re biodegradable. If you bury them in the ground, they turn to compost in 90 days.

Wheatware drumsticks deliver all the performance advantages of wood, yet are made of a sustainable material. The Wheatware compostable guitar picks offer an alternative to the millions of plastic picks manufactured each year -- without sacrificing performance. Far from being fragile, Wheatware music products can withstand a musicians' beating. And both products are ultra-functional: the picks come in an easy-to-grip design and the drumsticks are slightly textured to resist slippage.

Here's what Violent Femmes drummer Guy Hoffman has to say: "I checked out Wheatware 5A drumsticks. Love those 5A's. That cored out handle, love it. I think they're incredible. The cored out handle makes obvious the difference in weight between that of the handle and that of the shoulder to the tip of the stick. I like the result in that the stick carries more weight toward the tip. Remarkably, they are biodegradable."

Wheatware™ guitar picks won "Best in Show" in the accessory category at the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Show in Austin, Texas on July 29th, and the drum sticks won "Trendsetter Award" at the NAMM show in Nashville, summer 2008. The company donated 272 pairs of Wheatware Compostable drumsticks, 3,240 Wheatware Compostable guitar picks, and 4,100 Wheatware Compostable clothes hangers to Live Earth musicians last year.

Affordably priced, Wheatware Bio-Compostable drumsticks are available in two sizes: 5A and 5B. Wheatware Compostable guitar picks come in three varieties: wedged-light, medium, and heavy. Other Wheatware products include Bio-Compostable hangers, multi-use dishes, drink coasters and golf supplies, as well as reusable Wheatware™ Biomass-75 chopsticks, wasabi dishes and disposable flatware. For more information on Wheatware music products, or any of the products distributed by Wheatware.com, check out:

Attention Seattle area SSF Members...It's time for another edition of our very popular Cocktails for a Cause (CFAC) events. As always, we'll have music, cocktails, munchies and fun while learning about great nonprofits doing important work in our community. See you there!

2008 Cocktails for a Cause Holiday Progressive Party
(all events are in downtown Seattle on First Avenue between Stewart & Virginia)

**Date Change** - Due to inclement weather on December 17th, 2008 we have changed the date of this event.
New Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2009

6:00-6:45 Peter Miller Books
6:45-7:30 Baby & Co.
7:30-8:15 Polite Society

>> more info on our Cocktails for a Cause events...

On October 7th, SSF jump started our 2007 Membership Drive during Puget Sound's Green October with a running tour of downtown Seattle's sustainable and oh-so-stylish retailers & restaurants that ended at Seattle's new Sculpture Park. The early morning run and window shopping was led by Alison White, founder of Seattle Run Tours, who started the company as an alternative to "stinky" diesel buses allowing for a more intimate and eco-friendly look at the Emerald City. Post-run goodies were provided by none other than Seattle Art Museum's TASTE cafe.

Date: Sunday, October 7, 2007
Start: 5th & Pine in front of Nordstrom
Time: 8:30 (please arrive a bit early)
Finish - Olympic Sculpture Park

>> Tour Gallery
>> Style Guide

Seattle-area sustainable style enthusiasts, please Save the Date on December 13, for the next Cocktails for a Cause. We're giving some extra notice before the official invitation because the venue is changing, and we're switching to the second Wednesday of the month (instead of the first), so please take note. Here is what you need to know, for now:

Location | Form/Space Atelier at 1907 Second Avenue, across from The Moore Theater
Date | Wednesday, December 13
Time | 6 - 8 pm
Cause | The Vera Project

Everything else stays the same; we'll have music, cocktails, munchies and fun; stay tuned for the official invitation, with more details, coming next week. We hope to see many of you there!

I Heart Rummage is Seattle's monthly showcase of what’s cutting edge in indie crafts and functional art. Held at The Crocodile Cafe from 12 - 4 pm the first Sunday of each month, (that's right, it's coming up this Sunday, October 1!), its a great way to experience what's edgy and new in the world of urban crafts and functional art.

Originally founded in 2001, it has recently been reborn after a recent effort to restructure and rebrand, and they're off and running with events November 5th and December 17th. I Heart Rummage continues its commitment to provide a platform for all up-and-coming craftsters that want to show new, edgy, and dynamic work. Every month you’ll find 50 hardworking designers and crafters presenting the latest in style and hip crafts - some seasoned vendors as well as new work that has never been shown. Much more info, including their MySpace page and mailing list, can be found on their website. [I Heart Rummage]

Seattle-area sustainable-stylers, listen up! October's Cocktails for a Cause is coming next Wednesday, October 4. It'll be at The Palm Room at 5336 Ballard Ave NW from 6 to 8 pm.

This month, we'll be highlighting the good work of the Seattle affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Their mission is to build decent, affordable homes for families in need. Since 1986, they've constructed 96 homes for very low-income families through the greater Seattle-South King County area.

For those who don't know, Cocktails for a Cause is the Seattle Chapter's monthly event that highlights the good work of a fellow area non-profit with an evening of cocktails, music and fun. Each event features a different "cause-mo" cocktail of the night, and donations will go to benefit the featured organization. This month, the "cause-mo" is The Palm Tea, a cocktail designed especially for this event by Kathy Casey Food Studios.

There'll be live entertainment from DJ Patrick Napper, a no-host bar and munchies; donations for the evening's libations and food go to support Habitat for Humanity, so we hope to see many of you there!

September is right around the corner, and we're happy to be hosting another Cocktails for a Cause event here in Seattle. It's scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, at The Palm Room at 5336 Ballard Ave NW from 6 to 8 pm.

For those who don't know, Cocktails for a Cause is the Seattle Chapter's monthly event that highlights the good work of a fellow area non-profit with an evening of cocktails, music and fun. Each event features a different "cause-mo" cocktail of the night, and donations will go to benefit the featured organization. This month, we're happy to be partnering with the Northwest Center, who, since 1965, has helped children & adults with disabilities reach their full potential through programs of education, rehabilitation and work opportunity. They're doing great work, so we invite anyone in the Seattle area to come join us for a cocktail to learn more about their efforts.

There'll be live entertainment from DJ Patrick Napper, a no-host bar and munchies; donations for the evening's libations and food go to support the Northwest Center, so we hope to see many of you there!

After taking last month off for the 4th of July, SSF-Seattle is excited to be bringing back Cocktails for a Cause next Wednesday, August 2. Our monthly event that showcases the work of a local nonprofit here in town will highlighting the excellent work of the Breast Cancer Fund. Since 2004, they've been bringing their prevention-focused message to our state, raising awareness about the links between environmental toxins and breast cancer and inspiring action to eliminate nasty persistent bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs) from Washington. We're happy for the opportunity to work together, and are looking forward to a groovy evening of cocktails, music and fun.

Held at varying venues around town, August's event will be at The Palm Room, Seattle's hippest garden-design studio, at 5336 Ballard Ave NW (in Ballard). Want to come? Sign up on our mailing list to be sure not to miss any more invitations, and bring your friends! [Breast Cancer Fund] and [Cocktails for a Cause]

Last weekend one of my best friends treated me to one the top ten food experiences in my life. This is an area I am constantly researching, believe me, I love being a “foody”. Cascadia Restaurant based in Seattle with Chef Kerry Sear offers Saturday Market Tours with a cooking class, lunch and wine pairings. How amazing is that? I learned so much about where the restaurant buys their food locally, how they select their food and how we can too. I learned so much and have truly been inspired to keep on the path of cooking seasonally with local foods that are organic…how perfect. Cascadia’s site notes, “Since our first day to the present day, we've sought out locally sourced ingredients, worked with organic growers, and supported sustainable processes and techniques whenever possible. Rather than relying on single-source ingredients no matter what or overpromising on our menu's organic elements, we rely on best-source ingredients from a wide variety of farmers, ranchers, markets and more…” Chef Sear truly made every recipe seem so easy and accessible, but knowing me, I will just end up at Cascadia as always to enjoy one of their fabulous prix fixe tasting menus in a couple weeks. [cascadia restaurant]

I just attended the Baingridge Graduate Institute's graduation ceremeny last weekend on the invitation of one of my favorite people in the world, Barbara Lawrence, a BGI graduate and member of the Suquamish Tribe. I pretty much was in happy tears throughout the whole event. BGI offers an MBA focused on sustainability that is out of this world amazing! I know the founders, Gifford and Libba Pinchot, and a several of the faculty, including Lorinda Rowledge and Jill Bamburg, through several sustainability circles in Seattle. Graduation was hard/emotional enough for me going to the UW where throusands graduated at the same time. At BGI, with a class of 30 or so, I can't even imagine how hard it must be to leave the institute, your fellow students and faculty. Folks just get to be such good friends. My friend Barbara was asked to give the invocation and I must say she did an outstanding job for her first time. She chose to take the opportunity to show gratitude to the many people, ideas and inspirations that brought BGI into existence. I was teary and inspired through the whole thing and was very surprised and honored to accept a gift on behalf of all the messengers in the sustainability movement.

A huge thank-you to everyone in Seatte who joined us last night at FenonmenA for SSF's first Cocktails for a Cause. A good time was had by all as we helped raise awareness (and raised a glass) for the very deserving Dress for Success. Their mission is to advance low-income women's economic and social development and to encourage self-sufficiency through career development and employment retention, and they respond to the needs of our community by providing programs that help economically disadvantaged women acquire jobs, retain their new positions and succeed in the mainstream workplace. They do amazing work every day, and touch countless lives everywhere they go. We hope they keep up their fantastic work!

The "cause-mo" featured drink of the evening (pictured at left) was Windfall Winery's AP wine.

SSF is happy to introduce its latest program hosted by the SSF-Seattle chapter. Cocktails for a Cause is a monthly event hosted at FenomenA that will help raise awareness about the good work of area nonprofits through an evening of cocktails, music and fun. Through networking with others who share the passion and dedication to Puget Sound non-profit efforts, we can all work together towards our common goal: increasing the well being of mankind and our environment.

On the first Wednesday of each month, we'll gather at FenomenA at 200 Roy St on lower Queen Anne for a fun happy hour/evening of cocktails. We'll partner with a different nonprofit each month and dedicate the event to raising awareness about their work in the Seattle area. Each event will feature a different "cause-mo" cocktail of the night -- think pink cosmopolitans for breast cancer -- and a portion of the sales will go to benefit the featured organization.